Remodeling to Maximize Storage

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Home Storage

April 29, 2016

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Home Storage

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Very few of us have the good fortune to buy a house or condominium and find that it comes equipped with all the storage we need. In fact, remodeling to add storage is very common. When you remodel, you have the opportunity to rethink things – seek out odd-shaped nooks and maximize the space you have to get the storage you want.

With that in mind, here are some suggestions to help you make the most of the space you have so that you end up with a remodel that fills your storage needs.

Kitchen Remodel Ideas

If you like to cook, you probably have quite a collection of pots, pans, utensils, spices, and so on. Here are some ways that you can maximize space even in a very small kitchen:

Put in sliding shelves in your cabinets. It is very common for cabinet space, particularly under the sink, to lack shelves. That means that only about half of the space gets used – or that things are piled in haphazardly so that they all fit. One good way to ensure you use all of your space is to put in shelves that slide out for easy access. Instead of just having one surface to store your cookware, you can have several shelves.

Put in a hanging rack for your pans. Overhead racks are a popular way to add more storage without having to knock down walls. A pretty cast-iron rack hanging over the counter is the ideal way to store your pots. They will be easily accessible and hanging them will free up cabinet space for other things.

Consider a magnetic spice rack if you have a lot of herbs and spices. Simply install a magnetic strip underneath your cabinets, put your herbs and spices in jars with metal lids, and attach them to the strip. They’ll be out of the way, yet easy to find when you need them for cooking.

Bathroom Remodel Ideas

Bathrooms tend to be small, and that means that storage is at a premium. Here are some remodeling ideas to help you make room for all of your bath products and other supplies.

If you have a free wall that doesn’t have pipes or wiring in it, consider opening it up and putting in a recessed cabinet. You probably won’t be able to fit more than one row of shampoo and conditioner bottles in it, but putting them there can help free up space under the sink.

Just as you did in the kitchen, you might add pull-out shelves under the sink. Even adding one shelf can double your storage space.

Bedroom Remodel Ideas

Has your bedroom become the place where things end up when you don’t have anywhere else to put them? Here are a few tips to help you get things under control again.

Make the most of closet space by putting in a closet organizer. Custom organizers can be very expensive, but you can find DIY plans online or buy shelving units and assemble them yourself. The key is to find a unit that includes shelving for folded clothes, storage for shoes, rods for hanging clothes, and maybe an overhead shelf or compartment for storing out-of-season items.

If you have an odd-shaped nook that might not be large enough for a full closet, consider enclosing it and using it to store small items such as shoes and accessories. If you put in shelves, you’ll be amazed at how much you can fit into a small space.

Living Area Remodel Ideas

Common spaces where the whole family spends time can also end up becoming cluttered and crowded. Try these tips to get the clutter under control:

Put in open storage by adding shelves to a nook. A small nook can be the perfect place to display collections if you have them, or to keep books and other small items.

Add drawers down low to maximize space. A lot of times, shelves don’t go all the way to the floor. Instead of wasting that space, consider putting in drawers to keep items that won’t fit elsewhere.

Repurpose furniture with storage in mind. Do you have a piece of furniture that has shelves or drawers? Think about what you need to store and find a way to make the piece work for you. For example, you might add compartments to drawers or reconfigure shelves so that everything fits.

Garage and Basement Remodel Ideas

If you have a garage or basement, there’s a good chance that those places have turned into impromptu storage, with boxes piled high. Instead of resigning yourself to hunting through boxes when you need something, why not approach it a different way?

Use recycled kitchen cabinets on the walls. In the garage and basement, cabinets on the walls can be a great way to store seasonal items, tools, and automotive supplies.

A big shelving unit can be a great addition in the basement. You can use it to store keepsakes, mementos, Christmas ornaments and more. And if your basement is prone to flooding, keeping those things on shelves can help protect them, too.

In general, it’s a good idea to approach your remodel by giving some thought to what storage space you need before you start. If you know that you don’t have a place to keep your vacuum cleaner, mops, and brooms, you can be sure to create a space that will work for those items. If you take that approach, you’ll end up with all the storage you need – exactly where you need it.